Draka is supplying in excess of 20,000 metres of cable for the new £100 million Victoria Hospital that is currently taking shape in Glasgow. When completed in 2009, it will be one of the largest hospitals in Scotland and is expected to treat around 400,000 patients each year.

In addition to supplying 0HLS® Halogen-free Firetufplus circuit integrity alarm cable for the Chubb fire detection and alarm system being installed by Forth Electrical Services, Draka is also providing cable from its recently introduced 0HLS Halogen-free Saffire® range. These are two premium fire safety wiring cables, both of which are particularly suitable for applications where smoke and acid gas emissions would pose a significant threat in the event of a fire.

In common with all Draka cables, both cable types are third-party approved by the LPCB [Loss Prevention Certification Board] and / or BASEC [British Approvals Service for Cable].

“These Draka cables are ideally suited for hospitals, where fire safety is so critical,” explained Bob Brotherton of Forth Electrical Services, Scotland’s largest independent services contractor. “Evacuation is extremely difficult to achieve with bed-ridden patients, particularly as the new 41,500 square metre hospital is spread over three floors. So it is essential that, in a fire, the cabling performs as expected.” He concluded: “We would not have considered using any cable that is not third-party approved.”

The Draka Firetufplus circuit integrity alarm cable has proved its ability to maintain circuit integrity when exposed to fire. It provides 60 minutes fire and mechanical protection, followed by 60 minutes of fire, mechanical impact and water protection, exceeding the requirements of BS 5839-1:2002 (Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance). It has a twisted core construction to improve signal clarity, and from an installer’s viewpoint, has the benefits of lower termination costs, ease of handling and installation, plus there is no need for any special tools or training.

The Saffire 6491 B cable is rated 450 / 750V and complies with BS 7211: 1998 (Electric cables. Thermosetting insulated, non-armoured cables for voltages up to and including 450 / 750V, for electric power, lighting and internal wiring, and having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire) and is a thermosetting, insulated non-sheathed single core cable.

The new Victoria Hospital was designed by HLM Architects and is a PFI [Private Finance Initiative] contract involving Balfour Beatty, Canmore Partnership and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.